If you are looking for frugal dinner ideas, look no further to your pantry, pasta box or produce section. Many frugal dinner ideas can include canned beans, whole wheat pasta and fresh seasonal vegetables. Canned beans cost a quarter of what meat costs per pound and beans are packed with fiber, protein and antioxidants. Whole wheat pasta and vegetables cost only a couple of dollars a pound and provide excellent nutritional values.
Frugal Bean Dinner
Make a hearty chili using a variety of canned beans. Beans offer fiber and folate while also providing valuable protein. Try serving a hearty Triple Bean Chili for a wallet friendly dinner idea.
To make this chili, combine one can of rinsed black beans, one can of rinsed red kidney beans, one can of rinsed pinto beans, one chopped medium onion, one chopped green onion, one carrot sliced into 1/4 inch coins, two cans of chopped tomatoes with the juice, two tbsp. chili powder, one tsp. cumin, 1/2 tsp. kosher salt and 1/2 tsp. of fresh ground pepper.
Combine all ingredients in a crock pot and turn the crock pot on high. Cook ingredients for six hours and serve on top of cooked rice or with toasted corn bread and a fresh salad.
Frugal Pasta Dinner
Serve hearty and filling whole wheat pasta if for a delicious frugal dinner. Whole wheat pasta is fortified with fiber and whole grains while some brands even add protein.
To start this dish, cook a whole box of whole wheat pasta penne. Follow the directions on the box, most whole wheat penne pastas need about 10 minutes of cooking. Then, in a large bowl, combine one can of chopped and drained tomatoes, 1/4 cup of chopped basil, one minced garlic clove, 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup of chopped kalamata olives, 1/4 cup of olive oil and a pinch of kosher salt.
Pour the pasta into a large bowl and toss with the rest of the ingredients. Serve this pasta with toasted Italian bread and a fresh salad.
Frugal Vegetable Dinners
Choosing an all vegetarian dinner will save you money, but won't be missing any flavor. Using vegetables as your main course is an excellent frugal dinner idea because most vegetables are more than a couple dollars a pound.
To start this dish, mix a cup of whole wheat bread crumbs, 1/2 a cup of Parmesan, 1 tbsp. of parsley and a pinch of salt in a wide bowl. Cut a peeled eggplant into half inch rounds. Dredge the sliced eggplant in a bowl filled with a cup of flour, then dip into another bowl filled with a lightly beaten egg. Roll each of the eggplant pieces in the breadcrumb mixture and place the eggplant in a hot skillet with two tablespoons of of olive oil. Fry on one side for about two minutes or until the eggplant is lightly browned and flip. Place cooked eggplant on a cookie sheet and place in a preheated 350 degree oven. Cook the eggplant for 15 minutes. While this cooks, heat a jar of tomato sauce. Serve the hot eggplant with the tomato sauce drizzled on top.
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